A rare piece of Japanese whisky history has found a place on the drinks list at Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, where a single dram now carries a price tag of £2,300.
The Asian-inspired eatery, created by Gordon Ramsay, opened last year in London’s 22 Bishopsgate as a high-rise dining destination blending fine cuisine with an ambitious bar programme. Among its most notable offerings is Shirakawa 1958, a single malt from the long-demolished Shirakawa Distillery in Fukushima Prefecture, around 200km north of Tokyo.
Built in 1939, the distillery was among Japan’s early adopters of malt whisky production, operating between 1951 and 1969 before ultimately closing in 2003. For decades, much of its output went into blends produced by its owner, Takara Shuzo.
What makes this expression remarkable is both its provenance and its survival…
From forgotten casks to fine dining
What makes this expression remarkable is both its provenance and its survival. The spirit was distilled in 1958, matured in cask, and later transferred into ceramic jars before being moved into stainless steel tanks at a Takara Shuzo facility in Kyushu following the distillery’s closure.
There it remained, largely forgotten, until 2019, when Tomatin Distillery managing director Stephen Bremner traced its existence through company archives and inventory.
While precise details of its ageing regime remain unclear, the whisky dates from a period when Japanese distillers commonly used domestic barley and matured spirit in Mizunara oak casks, known for imparting distinctive aromatic qualities.
Bottled at 49% ABV by Takara Shuzo, Shirakawa 1958 is understood to be the earliest single vintage Japanese whisky ever released, and the only official single malt from the distillery.
Shirakawa 1958 whisky tasting notes
Supplied tasting notes point to a complex and evolving character. On the nose, the whisky offers resinous notes, dry earth and dried citrus peel, with a waxy undertone; a splash of water reveals added vibrancy and a hint of exotic incense.
The palate is described as expansive and succulent, with fragrant grass and emerging fruit, layered with spice and dryness. Water introduces a suggestion of ash from an incense burner, alongside a lively acidity. The finish is long and balanced, with persistent mint and camphor-like notes.
Just 1,500 bottles of Shirakawa 1958 were released globally in 2022, with a recommended retail price of £25,000 per bottle.
At Lucky Cat, it’s available by the dram at £2,300, offering diners a rare opportunity to experience a fragment of Japan’s early whisky-making history.
Bruichladdich has unveiled Greener Still, a 15 year old single malt whisky created to mark 25 years since the Hebridean distillery’s resurrection – but that’s not the whole story. The release also aims to shine a spotlight on environmental and social sustainability in Scotch whisky. The limited-edition bottling completes a series of special releases created…
Some wines travel thousands of miles to reach London. At Vagabond’s new Canary Wharf bar, one of the shortest journeys is around 1,300 metres. The new Vagabond Wines has opened on Park Drive in Wood Wharf, bringing more than 120 wines by the glass to one of London’s most recognisable business districts. There’s a heated…
That Boutique-y Whisky Company is marking the height of summer with a seven strong collection led by a 21 Year Old World Whisky Blend that brings together mature spirits from four whisky-producing nations. The new Summertime Specials collection explores a broad range of styles, from long-aged world whisky and Islay single malt to rarely seen…
The Luxe Review 
A rare piece of Japanese whisky history has found a place on the drinks list at Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, where a single dram now carries a price tag of £2,300.
The Asian-inspired eatery, created by Gordon Ramsay, opened last year in London’s 22 Bishopsgate as a high-rise dining destination blending fine cuisine with an ambitious bar programme. Among its most notable offerings is Shirakawa 1958, a single malt from the long-demolished Shirakawa Distillery in Fukushima Prefecture, around 200km north of Tokyo.
Built in 1939, the distillery was among Japan’s early adopters of malt whisky production, operating between 1951 and 1969 before ultimately closing in 2003. For decades, much of its output went into blends produced by its owner, Takara Shuzo.
From forgotten casks to fine dining
What makes this expression remarkable is both its provenance and its survival. The spirit was distilled in 1958, matured in cask, and later transferred into ceramic jars before being moved into stainless steel tanks at a Takara Shuzo facility in Kyushu following the distillery’s closure.
There it remained, largely forgotten, until 2019, when Tomatin Distillery managing director Stephen Bremner traced its existence through company archives and inventory.
While precise details of its ageing regime remain unclear, the whisky dates from a period when Japanese distillers commonly used domestic barley and matured spirit in Mizunara oak casks, known for imparting distinctive aromatic qualities.
Bottled at 49% ABV by Takara Shuzo, Shirakawa 1958 is understood to be the earliest single vintage Japanese whisky ever released, and the only official single malt from the distillery.
Shirakawa 1958 whisky tasting notes
Supplied tasting notes point to a complex and evolving character. On the nose, the whisky offers resinous notes, dry earth and dried citrus peel, with a waxy undertone; a splash of water reveals added vibrancy and a hint of exotic incense.
The palate is described as expansive and succulent, with fragrant grass and emerging fruit, layered with spice and dryness. Water introduces a suggestion of ash from an incense burner, alongside a lively acidity. The finish is long and balanced, with persistent mint and camphor-like notes.
Just 1,500 bottles of Shirakawa 1958 were released globally in 2022, with a recommended retail price of £25,000 per bottle.
At Lucky Cat, it’s available by the dram at £2,300, offering diners a rare opportunity to experience a fragment of Japan’s early whisky-making history.
Bruichladdich Greener Still 15 Year Old Whisky marks 25 years with three distinct barley styles
Bruichladdich has unveiled Greener Still, a 15 year old single malt whisky created to mark 25 years since the Hebridean distillery’s resurrection – but that’s not the whole story. The release also aims to shine a spotlight on environmental and social sustainability in Scotch whisky. The limited-edition bottling completes a series of special releases created…
Vagabond Wines Canary Wharf review: There’s a world of wines to explore at this stylish waterside bar
Some wines travel thousands of miles to reach London. At Vagabond’s new Canary Wharf bar, one of the shortest journeys is around 1,300 metres. The new Vagabond Wines has opened on Park Drive in Wood Wharf, bringing more than 120 wines by the glass to one of London’s most recognisable business districts. There’s a heated…
21 Year Old world whisky blend heads up That Boutique-y Whisky Summertime collection
That Boutique-y Whisky Company is marking the height of summer with a seven strong collection led by a 21 Year Old World Whisky Blend that brings together mature spirits from four whisky-producing nations. The new Summertime Specials collection explores a broad range of styles, from long-aged world whisky and Islay single malt to rarely seen…
Share this: